Universal Credits on unpaid maternity leave

[NickyLou8]

Hi everyone. I was due to go back to work in September After 39 weeks maternity on SMP and I’ve heard from the nursery that they are no longer going to be able to take my little girl on until at least December due to the COVID lockdown. I’m a single parent I don’t live near any family any in quite a remote area so there isn’t even any childminders around so I have no option but to extend my maternity leave into the unpaid portion annoyingly. Does anyone know if I can claim UC during this unpaid portion of maternity? I have no idea what I’m going to do

I think you can, but is your employer going to hold your job open for you for the extra 3 months?
You might have holiday entitlement accrued during Maternity leave which you can use to extend your ML?

Can you find local childcare or a different nursery?

@terrigrey thank you yes they are happy for me to take the full 52 weeks thankfully. There are only two childminders here and none have space for her the next nearest nursery With spaces is 22 miles away. Absolute nightmare. Ahhh I didn’t even think about holidays that would give me just over a month and a half... thank you 😊

That's good about the holiday leave.
I think you can use UC if your MA is under a certain level.
Can you use the online calculators to have a look?

If you claim UC you will get a standard element for yourself dependent on age, a child element of £235.83 and a rent element.

Thank you guys I’ve never claimed benefits before so feeling clueless and someone told me I wouldn’t be entitled to anything because I am “choosing” to take the extra time unpaid which is why I said I would go back after the SMP entitlement was over. I will work it out with my holidays and try and speak to the job centre when this is all over. Thank you again for the responses it’s definitely put my mind at ease a little bit :)

Do you live with a partner?

I wouldn't say you are 'choosing' not to go back to work, you are unable to because you are looking after your small child, I think you are allowed to do this? (I haven't claimed benefits either, but I help out in a food bank so have picked up some info)

No I’m single her dad lives an hour away but does see her loads. I was told this before I started maternity leave but that’s what I thought I’m not choosing I just really don’t have much choice.

You can definitely claim UC. You won't have any issues with being on the upaid 13 weeks of maternity leave.